There are different ways of involving young people in research in a meaningful way. Treseder’s model of participation outlines the main types of participation:

Assigned but informed

Adults decide on the project and young people volunteer for it.

Young people understand the project – they know who decided to involve them and why.

Adults respect young people’s views.

Adult-initiated, shared decisions with young people

Adults have the initial idea.

Young people are involved in every step of the planning and implementation.

Young people’s views are not only considered, but they are involved in decision-making.

Child-initiated and directed

Young people have the initial idea.

Young people decide how the project is to be carried out.

Adults are available but do not take charge.

Child-initiated, shared decisions with adults

Young people have the ideas.

Young people set up projects and come to adults for advice, discussion and support.

Adults do not direct, but offer their expertise for young people to consider.

Consulted and informed

Adults design and run the project.

Young people are consulted and have a full understanding of the process.

Adults take their opinions seriously.

Adapted from: Empowering children & young people training manual: promoting involvement in decision making (Save the Children). Phil Treseder, 1997.

Research projects that involve young people as research subjects, but where the young people have no influence over the research, can be very valuable. But this is not what we mean by ‘young researchers' projects’. Nor would we include projects that only involve young people in a tokenistic way. Indeed, this could raise ethical questions and may have negative consequences for those involved.